- Autumn
- Autumn Au"tumn, n. [L. auctumnus, autumnus, perh. fr. a root
av to satisfy one's self: cf. F. automne. See {Avarice}.]
1. The third season of the year, or the season between summer
and winter, often called ``the {fall}.'' Astronomically,
it begins in the northern temperate zone at the autumnal
equinox, about September 23, and ends at the winter
solstice, about December 23; but in popular language,
autumn, in America, comprises September, October, and
November.
[1913 Webster]
Note: In England, according to Johnson, autumn popularly comprises August, September, and October. In the southern hemisphere, the autumn corresponds to our spring. [1913 Webster]
2. The harvest or fruits of autumn. --Milton. [1913 Webster]
3. The time of maturity or decline; latter portion; third stage. [1913 Webster]
Dr. Preston was now entering into the autumn of the duke's favor. --Fuller. [1913 Webster]
Life's autumn past, I stand on winter's verge. --Wordsworth. [1913 Webster]
The Collaborative International Dictionary of English. 2000.